Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued a directive on September 23, urging ministries, agencies, and localities to diversify markets, products, and supply chains in order to boost production and exports amid global uncertainties, according to a report from the Vietnam News Agency.

Under the directive, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will spearhead efforts to monitor global market conditions and the trade policies of partner countries, while implementing flexible and timely measures to sustain export growth and overcome emerging challenges. The ministry is tasked with leveraging existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), pursuing new trade pacts, and launching major promotion programs in key markets.

The directive also calls for enhanced cooperation with international partners to expand export opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products, while improving food safety standards and compliance with technical requirements from major importers such as China, the EU, the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Australia.

Other measures outlined include refining mechanisms and policies to create a transparent investment environment, tightening quality control during customs clearance, preventing the import of substandard goods, intellectual property violations, and origin fraud. The directive also highlights the need to strengthen economic diplomacy, improve transport and logistics infrastructure, and encourage exporters to invest in science and technology, diversify supply chains, build stronger brands, and target niche as well as traditional markets.

As of September 15, Vietnam’s total trade turnover was estimated at $673.21 billion, up 17.2% year-on-year, with exports rising 15.8% to $325.26 billion.